Means for starting internal-combustion engines.



W. F. & G. P. GROLL. MEANS FOR STARTING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED QOT. 22, 1912.

Patented July 21, 1914.

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W. F. & U. 1. GROLL.

MEANS roa STAR-TING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 22, 1912. 1,104,356. Patented July 21, 1914.

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alga/mam Q g avvuemfo'w Willmml? Grail 73 W W Charles Groll WILLIAMGBOLL AND CHARLES P. GROLL, OF WALDO, UHIO.

MEANS FOR STARTING INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 24, 1914.

Application filed October 22, 1912. Serial No. 727,128.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, WILLIAM F. GROLL andCHARLES P. GRoLL, citizens of the United States, residing at Waldo, inthe county of Marion and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Means for Starting Internal-Combustion Engines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to devices for cranking anautomobile while the driver is seated in the seat.

The object of the invention is to provide simplified and improved meansof the kind stated having among its advantages adaptability to difierentsizes of automobile.

The invention is embodied in the example herein shown and described,'thefeatures of novelty being pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1,

is a view in elevation of an automobile equipped with the invention.Fig. 2 is a side elevation with parts in section. Fig. 3 isa top planview with parts omitted to show details of the invention. Fig. 4 is afront view on a larger scale of the cranking wheel. Fig. 5 is an edgeelevation of the same. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the drum member.

In the views 10 designates the forward end of the crank shaft of anordinary automobile. Journaled in a suitable cross member 11 is theshaft 12 of the cranking or starting device. Fixed on the outer end ofthe shaft 12 is a ratchet wheel 13 and journaled to turn on the shaft 12is a drum member or spider including four socketed arms 14 carryingspring actuated pawls 15 adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 13. Thesockets of the arms 14 receive the shanks 16 of grooved angular heads16, said heads being held in the positions to which they can be adjustedby set screws 17 The heads 16 will, in practice be adjusted to formapproximately a square pulley or drum. Attached to the said pulley ordrum is a strap 18 that passes rearward around a pulley 19 to a membercarrying a pulley 20, the pulley 20 being operable by another strap orcord 21 attached to the automobile and passed around the pulley 20 andthe pulleys 22 and 23 and thence through the dash 25 where it isprovided with a handle or knob 26 within easy reach of the automobiledriver.

The spider or drum is provided with a small pulley 27 fixed to it at itshub and attached to said pulley is a cord 28 attached to and operated byone arm of a spring 29 the other arm of which is pivoted vertically in asocket 30 to permit the spring to swing easily in a horizontal plane.The function of this spring and cord is to rewind the strap 18 after thelatter has been pulled in a cranking or starting operation.

31 is a lever fulcrumed at 32 and engaging a grooved collar 33 attachedto the shaft 12. The free end of the lever 31 has attached to it a cord34 that is extended rearward and under a pulley 35 after which it isattached to a sliding finger piece 36 arranged on the front of thedrivers seat and within easy reach of the driver.

38 is a spring operating on the lever 31 to hold the shaft 12 disengagedor unclutched from the crank shaft.

39 is a rod extending rearward to the carbureter valve, said rod has ahead 40 and between this head and the cross member 11 is a coil spring41. The head 40 is arranged in position to be operated by the lever 31when the latter is drawn rearward to clutch the shaft 12 with the crankshaft. This operation of the rod 39 tickles or moves the float so as toinsure the opening of the gasolene supply valve and an abundant primingsupply of vapor for starting the engine. The shaft 12 is shown asprovided with a pin 42 that engages clutch teeth 43 on the end of thecrank shaft but any form of clutching devices can be employed. The largesquare drum member or spider is normally mounted with reference to thecrank shaft so that the pull of the strap 18 is at one of the cornerswhen the greater com pression of the piston charge is taking place.

What we claim is- 1. A driving device adapted for use in cranking meansfor automobiles consisting of a rotary spider wheel having radial armsprovided with a plurality of angular rim pieces 16 forming a cornereddriving member polygonal in side view, a pawl on said driving member andan actuating strap connected with said driving member and winding on therim formed by said angular pieces 16, and means for rewinding the strapafter it has been operated for turning the driving member, substantiallyas described.

2. A driving device adapted for use in cranking means for automobilesconsisting of a rotary spider wheel having radial arms provided With aplurality 'of radially adjustated for turning the driving member,subable angular rim pieces 16 forming a corstantially as described,nered driving member polygonal 1n side WILLIAM F. GROLL. View, a pawl onsaid drlving member and an actuating strap connected With said drivingCHARLES GROLL' member and Winding on the rim formed by Witnesses: saidangular pieces 16, and means for re- E. J. MARSH,

Winding the strap after it has been oper O. H. APT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five eentsfeaeh, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

. Washington, D. G. I

